Glossary of Terms

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Here is a list of definitions for some commonly used terms on www.MemoryFoam.com

• Talalay Latex Foam
  
  All foams are not created equal. Formulation and process controls help determine the level of consistency and durability in a latex product. Our manufacturing process helps make the most consistent and durable latex in the world. The only manufacturer to ILD test EVERY mattress core in 9 locations to ensure product firmness consistency. The widest range of firmness with the tightest tolerances in the world: 5 ILD choices (14, 28-32, 36, and 44) to provide you with the exact firmness and feel you're looking for. Other latex providers offer limited firmness ranges with wide tolerances around targeted ILDs. Ultra consistent cell structure for stronger, defined walls that provide longer lived comfort that won�t breakdown. Note the gaps and unique snowflake structure of the cells in competitive latex, which leads to a higher propensity for the mattress to mechanically breakdown and create body impressions. EVERY mattress core and pillow washed in a unique 5 stage washing process that removes residual soaps and proteins (the leading cause of premature softening that leads to returns; Latex International mattresses have the lowest return rate in the industry). Every latex pillow is hand inspected and weighed. Translation: Talatech: the only latex made in the U.S.A the finest in the world for uniform product feel from top to bottom.
  
  
  

• Memory Foam
  
  This material is a fully synthetic visco-elastic foam. It is temperature sensitive and has a relatively prolonged amount of time in which it will recall the shape that was most recently pressed into it. This "memory" is what gives the material both its name and the comfort that it is able to provide as a bedding component.

• Comfort Layer
  
  The comfort layer of a foam mattress is the top layer of the mattress, usually made of a high density, high durability memory or latex foam. As the name suggests, this layer is intended solely for the purpose of providing the qualities that are desired in a bed, whether it is firmness or softness.

• Covers
  
  A cover is simply a zippered piece of fabric designed to cover the bed. They are available in several different materials with differing properties. Each of our preassembled bed kits has a terry-cloth cover already included.

• Density
  
  Density refers to the amount of solid material in a 1 square foot piece of foam. As density is increased, weight and durability are increased. Price also increases at higher densities.

• ILD
  
  ILD is a technical term that indicates the firmness of a particular Memory or Latex Foam product. ILD stands for Indention Load Deflection, which is the force required in pounds to push a 50-inch indenter 1 inch into a 4-inch thick piece of sample material. Higher ILD foam requires more pressure to do this and lower ILD foam requires less. ILD and density are not the same; it is possible to have high density foam that has a low ILD and low density foam with a high ILD.
  
  For the purposes of our website, we have chosen not to list the standard ILD of our products as it can be intimidating to be confronted by such a large amount of information. However, the following chart will explain the terms used on our site and how they compare to ILD.

  ILD	Latex Foam	ILD	Memory Foam
  14	Soft	10	Fresh Air
  28-32	Medium	12	First Light & MemoryTherm
  36	Firm	12	Deep Twilight
  44	Very Firm	N/A	N/A

• Bed Sizes

Bed Size**	Length	Width
Twin	74"	38"
Twin XL	79"	38"
Full	74"	52"
Queen	79"	59"
King	79"	75"
California King	84"	72"

*Please note that due to the natural properties of memory foam, your bed may vary slightly from the dimensions listed here.

• Support Layer/Support Foam
  
  The support layer (or layers, in some cases) is the foam piece that is below the comfort layer. It is typically made of a different material than the comfort layer and is almost always a higher ILD than the comfort layer. The best mattresses use multiple support layers, with each one�s ILD increasing at each additional layer. The most common ILD levels are 30, 36, and 50 lbs for support foam.

• Toppers
  
  Mattress toppers are made out of the same material as the comfort layer of our mattress kits. They are meant to be used to soften a standard boxspring mattress, but they can also be used on foam mattresses. Toppers come in 2", 3", and 4" sizes. Side and stomach sleepers can usually get away with using a 2" or a 3", but side sleepers will probably prefer the greater padding of the 4" thick foam.